Transmission fluid changeAgain

[08RamKenny]

Hi folks, newbie here to the Ram forum. I’m a member of a few other forums, and have always loved the information you can get, seems like the people always seem to wanna help. Which is very cool! So thank y’all ahead of time.
Anyway, here’s my dilemma.

I’m the original owner of my Cool Vanilla 2008 4.7 Ram 1500 quad cab. This truck has been nothing but awesomeness! never had to do any major work on it yet(knock on wood) and is still running great!l I still change my oil, do my brakes, and pretty much anything I can to keep it in tip top shape. However, I made a huge blunder in my PM. My transmission fluid has never been changed, flushed or nothing. It has 206K on it now. I started to do have it changed at about 120K, but the people I spoke with back then said it would hurt it more than help it, if I did it then. So I put it off, only checking it periodically to make sure it was level, and still clean. Even today at 206K it’s still nice and red, and still at the proper level. But something tells me at 206K I should do something. Or maybe not? So that’s why I’m here, I need to know some of y’alls opinions?
What would y’all do at this point? Leave it be? Change it? Maybe a full flush? I’m a pretty good shade tree mechanic, but transmissions are out of my league for sure. At least when it comes to repairs. I’m currently not having any transmission issues, just wanna keep it that way! Thanks for the help!

Ram Kenny

 

[HemiLonestar]

Welcome aboard! Change fluid & filter yes, flush no. Yes there will be fluid left in the converter & cooler, etc just taking what is in the pan, but by that point it's better than pressurizing it and knock stuff loose. There will be varying opinions on this.

 

[lharrell79]

If the fluid looks good, and your truck is running normally, do not mess with it. At 206K, there is too much that could go wrong. Stripped bolts, broken bolts, etc.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Kenny,
If you haven't towed with it much I'd personally just run with it. The 4.7 probably hasn't stressed it out much. All that being said, it's not too hard of a job and like @HemiLonestar said, just don't flush it. That's where the more bad than good comes into play.

 

[08RamKenny]

All excellent advice! No the little Hemi didn’t tow much of anything, and I didn’t drive it hard at anytime over the last 11 years. This Ram truck has been amazing!

I like the idea of just changing the filter and fluid. No flush! I’ve heard so many times in many othe forums too, how flushing loosens a bunch of junk/debris in a transmission.

Much appreciated guys

Ram Kenny

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Correct on NOT flushing in my opinion. The only things I flush are coolers. Trans cooler, oil cooler, etc. Back in the early days of the 45RFE, Chrysler was selling ATF+4 as a "fill for life" fluid and a lot of my customers were not buying it. They wanted to get the pans off and see what was on the magnet as well as replace the filter.

 

[Silver The Mega]

I wouldnt change the fluid or filter at this point of 206k. Id just wait for the trans to go out then rebuild it.

 

[08RamKenny]

I wouldnt change the fluid or filter at this point of 206k. Id just wait for the trans to go out then rebuild it.

I’m curious as to why you feel that way?

 

[Silver The Mega]

The fluid consistency is different being that it has 206k on it. New fluid and fluid with that many miles are almost 2 different types of fluid. Changing could result in slipping, burning of the clutches, valve body failure, and others.

 

[08RamKenny]

The fluid consistency is different being that it has 206k on it. New fluid and fluid with that many miles are almost 2 different types of fluid. Changing could result in slipping, burning of the clutches, valve body failure, and others.

None that’s interesting. This is another example of how there are such a wide variety of opinions.
Change it, don’t change it what to do. I’m in agreement all of these things could happen. It’s just hard to sit there knowing it has that old fluid in there and not do anything about it. Transmission rebuild I’m sure is a whole lot of money, and I’m very cynical when it comes to mechanics (no offense to the good mechanics). I’ve just had troubles in the past being ripped off.

 

[Silver The Mega]

Oh trust me I understand why your sketchy of mechanics. But with fluid being that old, changing it just wouldn't do hardly any benefit. A trans rebuild would run in the neighborhood of about 2700-3000 dollars btw.

 

[HemiLonestar]

There will be varying opinions on this.

Toldja lol

 

[08RamKenny]

Oh trust me I understand why your sketchy of mechanics. But with fluid being that old, changing it just wouldn't do hardly any benefit. A trans rebuild would run in the neighborhood of about 2700-3000 dollars btw.

HOLY CRAP! That’s a lot of moolala! I figured about $1500 at the most. I’ve decided to not touch it. I’ll keep checking to make sure it’s not leaking or low on fluid, then add when necessary. I’m kicking myself in the booty for not changing it when I was supposed to. What’s funny is that that’s not like me to not maintain my vehicles. Ugh. Dropped the ball on this one.
The good thing is, it’s running very well , so hopefully I’ll get a lot more miles out of it before anything happens

 

[Silver The Mega]

I wish the best for your truck.

 

[08RamKenny]

I wish the best for your truck.

Thanks. I appreciate that. #Metoo. Lol